I will likely go Outlaw or Emotiva the latter being more likely with their xmas sale on the XPA-5. I was thinking of a XPA-2 for the fronts, XPA-5 *2 (to power surrounds, backs, center and a number of outdoor and inceling kitchen speakers).

I was just curious if anybody else has personally come across this issue and could comment.

A few years ago there was issues where the Emo amps would go into protection mode and shut down when driving various brands of 4ohm speakers. Emo blammed Axiom, saying their speaker was dipping to 1 ohm during various situations (movies, music), which is really a lame excuse.

At the time I owned their top of the line MPS-1, and it constantly shut down, during passages that were not even very loud. If an amp can't play a movie at reference, there is something wrong. After 2-3 replacement amp modules were sent, we could not resolve the issue, and Emo graciously returned all my money.

Others with Axiom m80's had similar issues, as well as other people on AVS with Rockets from AV123, and a few other brands of 4 ohm specs. Keep in mind the Axiom 80's only dip to around 4 ohm at a few frequency ranges, and much higher across most of the frequency range (more like a 6ohm speaker).

It is my understanding that the Emo amps over the last year have not had this problem, and do not include this limiter circuitry as in the older designs. I guess you would have to take your chances.

In regards to Outlaw, I have nothing but good things to say about them. I absolutely love my 7700. I do play my music fairly loud, and movies I play at reference level. Keep in mind my room is pretty large, 30ft x 31ft x 9ft. I am in the process of redesigning the area to be a more enclosed, dedicated room right now.

A few questions...how big is your room, how loud do you intend to play things. Are you using a receiver, or a pre-amp? If a receiver, have you considered trying it without an extra amp? Just curious, as most people are satisfied with the power of todays AVRs.

Thanks, I was hoping you would chyme in as a Denon/Outlaw user. Good to hear the newer EMO's don't have the same issues. I am leaning that way.

You have a large room. My listening space is only 14*17*9 however it is part of an open concent living/dining/kitchen which is esentially 42*17*9 however it also opens to the central staircase and hall way. It is all very open.

I will use an AVR for now and then likely as a pre/pro but need an external amp for the kitchen & outdoor speakers. The outdoors (2 pairs)are the Algonquin so I want to make sure I have enough power but I will not be holding outdoor concerts.

I might have to use my old, but still very usable, Pio VSX-94THX for now but looking at getting the Denon 3212CI or hold out for the new line of Denon since I have a Feb completion date on the build of my house.

I am getting the in-cab versions of m80, vp180 and the soon to be released ep500. The latter is still TBA but the formers are in Miami ready to be shipped to the island. I am currently having the cabinet made.

To round it out I have a QX8-'s (custom paint) for my 5.1. Since it is a new construction I have put two in ceiling speakers so I can run a 7.1 if desired. However for now a 5.1 would free up the extra channels for the two in-ceiling for the kitchen.

Like you I have an onwall M22/VP150 set up as well. My Pio is destined to power this bedroom setup.

Not to be forgotten I have a IW-M22 for the den (with some in-ceiling as well) which I have set up to be run both separately, and as a zone 2 from the living room. This can also serve as a dedicated HT room later if I wish.

While cash management is key when building I do need to get more applification and the 3312-CI is on the short list. But the point to my original question is that I like 2-channel and thinking XPA-2 might just be what the doctor ordered. I just wish I could somehow buy a big 7-ch external amp like the 7700 but then use the Denon amps for the external speakers. However I don't think I can use the pre-outs and the amp section at the same time.

When the wall was wired sent the link to the 7900 to the electrian. So he put two 20A breakers for that wall alone. But I don't think I can pull the trigger on the 7900.

I think that the XPA-2 should be fine for you. They reviewed it at Audioholics and it drove Gene's RBH T-30LSE towers just fine in his large room, and he has a lot of sound absorption. He said that it even gave his $7000 Denon amp a run for its money.

If you look at the impedance curve of the RBH vs the m80's, you can see that the RBH's are a tougher load to drive overall. Both speakers have three places where the impedance dips down to around 3 or 4 ohms. But, the RBH's are almost always below 6 ohms while m80's are not.

I would say that if the XPA2 can drive the RBH's in Gene's room just fine, then the M80's in your room should be fine. This is especially true if you set your crossover between 50Hz and 80Hz on the m80's (THX recommends 80Hz), since that looks to be the lowest part of the impedance graph.

Nick B, - this is a lot of great information. Thank you very much for taking the time and putting this together. On paper I never thought there would be an issue until I came across that link. I don't have any fears putting the combo together now.